Photo By Staff Sgt. Emma James | The Alcohol Drug Abuse Treatment program promotes readiness, health, and wellness...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md., -- Alcohol or substance abuse can negatively affect personal and professional relationships.
The first step to recovery is admitting there is a problem.
Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Bucher,779th Medical Group Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention Treatment program NCO in charge and certified alcohol and drug counselor, said there are a plethora of reasons that lead to irresponsible drinking.
She added that some of the stressors that can lead to alcohol abuse are problems at work or home, personal problems or a having a family history of substance abuse.
“Sometimes individuals don’t use healthy coping mechanisms to stressors,” said Staff Sgt. Oscar Chavez, 779th MDG NCOIC of outreach and mental health technician.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration levels to 0.08 grams per deciliter; which is approximately four drinks for women and five drinks for men in about two hours.
The use of unhealthy coping mechanisms like binge drinking can progress into a problem with alcohol or substance abuse.
“It’s very progressive,” Bucher said. “Someone doesn’t just start drinking. Many people start out drinking responsibly and then it progresses.”
Chavez said the stigma of mental health and the fear of getting into trouble with command deters people from seeking help from ADAPT. However, the goal of the ADAPT program is to provide treatment and educate on the effects of irresponsible drinking.
There are three ways to enter into the ADAPT program: self-identification, medical or command referral. Self-identification takes place before an alcohol related incident, such as a DUI, occurs but it is no longer considered so if an incident does occur.
“The hardest step is admitting to having a problem, and getting somewhere to get help,” Bucher said.
Each member of the program is given an initial individualized assessment to determine the level of treatment to be received. Treatment can be individualized educational sessions, outpatient treatment or, in more serious cases, a higher level of care with the Intensive Addiction Recovery Service.
“We try to educate on using healthy coping mechanisms versus relying on unhealthy ones like drinking or substance abuse,” Chavez said.
Bucher said participants are able to begin to live a healthier lifestyle, have the support of fellow members of the ADAPT program and overcome an addiction.
For more information on ADAPT or services rendered, contact their office at 240-857-7186.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2016 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 207695 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, ADAPT offers active-duty Airmen a way to recover, by SSgt Emma James, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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